Whitehall-Coplay School District Board of Education held its committee meetings Feb. 10.

“Saquon, I know you’re watching. Congratulations,” Treasurer George Williams joked.

The meeting began with an audit presentation by Chris Betley from Buckno Lisicky and Company. The board and Betley went through paperwork outlining the findings of the audit.

Betley credited the school district for being so cooperative during the process.

“We did not encounter any difficulties in performing this audit. Anything we asked for we received timely,” Betley said.

The finance committee continued the meeting by going through financial impact items as a group. The first presentation of the 2025-26 budget is set for April 14.

The meeting continued with education and student activities where Cassandra Herr, director of elementary teaching, learning and technology, gave a presentation on the Title I equity plan for the 2025-26 school year. The purpose of the plan is to ensure low socioeconomic and minority students in Title I schools are not being taught at disproportionate rates.

According to the district’s data collection, there are anywhere between 49% and 64% low socioeconomic students and 60% and 64% minority students in the district’s Title I schools.

All three elementary schools within the district are considered Title I schools. This means they receive federal funds to help students from low-income families.

“Overall, the finding is that our low socioeconomic and minority students at our Title I schools are not being served at disproportionate rates,” Herr said.

As the meeting continued, there was an updated presentation regarding standards-based grading at Gockley Elementary School, which was discussed during last month’s committee meeting. Parents of Gockley Elementary students will be getting a letter and video explaining exactly what this means.

Standards-based grading means large subjects will now be broken down into smaller learning objectives to help teachers better measure student learning. Instead of giving out grades like traditionally done, students will be measured on skills. Semesters will also be transitioned to trimesters.

The video being sent to parents will outline everything they need to know regarding this change.